News Release

Earthquake Preparedness

Estill County EMA/ CSEPP

FOR MORE IINFORMATION CONTACT

Melissa A. Neal-Jessie

(606) 723-6533

21 Jan. 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Kentucky Earthquake Facts

Earthquakes in Kentucky are rare, however they are always a looming possibility. Kentucky has a variety of fault systems across the Commonwealth. The two that affect Kentucky the most are in adjacent states: the New Madrid in Missouri and the Wabash in Indiana.

Earthquake Preparedness Week will be observed February 1st – 7th, in remembrance of the quakes in the winter of 1811 and 1812. The three most powerful earthquakes in U.S. history were in the New Madrid fault. December 16, 1811 was the most powerful of the three quakes measuring an astounding 8.0 on the Richter scale. This quake was so strong that is rang church bells in Boston, created Realfoot Lake in Fulton County Kentucky and even caused the Mississippi River to jump its banks and even run backwards for a few minutes. This earthquake was devastating to the Central Mississippi Valley and remains the most powerful earthquake ever.

Just last year on April 18th, 2008 a 5.4 on the Richter Scale occurred in the Wabash Valley, many people in Estill County felt the earthquake as a small tremor, rattling the windows. In 1980 near Sharpsburg in Bath County, it to measured 5.2 on the Richter scale and caused an estimated $3 million in damage. 269 homes and 37 businesses in nearby Maysville were damaged.

The Statewide Earthquake Drill will be February 3 at 10:07 am. All schools, day cares, the hospital and nursing home will participate in this drill. It is important that you and you family also have a plan if an earthquake should occur. Earthquakes can happen any where at any time and that is why it is so important to be prepared. Continue to look for more information concerning earthquakes in Kentucky in the weeks to come.

For more information contact the Estill County Emergency Management Agency at (606) 723-6533.

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